“There will also be large gatherings at mosques across the city this afternoon as people pray for those killed and their families, and we invite people of all faiths to join us for those prayers.

“People are also being asked to be vigilant, and we’ve been in touch with police, given the worries about copycat crimes spreading the message of hate.

“The victims of these terrible attacks were innocent people going into mosques to do their normal prayers.”

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, joined those condemning the attacks and said police would do ‘everything necessary’ to ensure the safety of the region's Muslim community.

He said: “The attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, was an act of gross cowardice and an assault on all religions.

“It shows clearly why we have to learn to live with differences, especially in a world that is becoming ever more plural.

“Hate crimes, however small, need to be dealt with, not least because where hatreds breed, violent acts of this kind can be contemplated by a few malcontents.

“In South Yorkshire, whatever community we come from, we will all stand together to stop our communities being places of fear or division.

“I want to reassure members of the Muslim community that South Yorkshire police will do everything necessary to ensure their safety.”

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